Internet Law Commons^™

Internet Governance, Standard Setting, And Self-Regulation, Philip J. Weiser

Publications

No abstract provided.

Time To Say Good-Bye To Madonna's American Pie: Why Mechanical Compulsory Licensing Should Be Put To Rest, Theresa M. Bevilacqua

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Peer-To-Peer Sharing On The Internet: An Analysis Of How Gnutella Networks Are Used To Distribute Pornographic Material, Michael D. Mehta, Don Best, Nancy Poon

Canadian Journal of Law and Technology

By our very nature, humans are creatures that communicate and network. Over the past several decades much of this communicating and networking has been facilitated by developments in information and communication technology. The social and economic transformations resulting from developments on the Internet have created several challenges for policymakers, lawmakers, courts and a wide range of other kinds of institutions. Some of these challenges are associated with the technologies and applications themselves. Other challenges result from content made available on the Internet and how users exchange data. Recent developments in peer-to-peer data exchange bring these two sets of challenges together.

Criminal Law In Cyberspace, Neal K. Katyal

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

Two of the most talked-about crimes of the year, the ILoveYou computer worm and the denial of service attacks on Yahoo, eBay, and ETrade, suggest that a new form of crime is emerging: cybercrime. Thousands of these crimes occur each year, and the results are often catastrophic; in terms of economic damage, the ILoveYou worm may have been the most devastating crime in history, causing more than $11 billion in losses.

This paper asks how cybercrime is best deterred. It identifies five constraints on crime - legal sanctions, monetary perpetration cost, social norms, architecture, and physical risks - and explains …

Privacy, Ideology, And Technology: A Response To Jeffrey Rosen, Julie E. Cohen

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

This essay reviews Jeffrey Rosen’s The Unwanted Gaze: The Destruction of Privacy in America (2000).

Rosen offers a compelling (and often hair-raising) account of the pervasive dissolution of the boundary between public and private information. This dissolution is both legal and social; neither the law nor any other social institution seems to recognize many limits on the sorts of information that can be subjected to public scrutiny. The book also provides a rich, evocative characterization of the dignitary harms caused by privacy invasion. Rosen’s description of the sheer unfairness of being “judged out of context” rings instantly true. Privacy, Rosen …

Annotating The News: Mitigating The Effects Of Media Convergence And Consolidation, Eric Easton

All Faculty Scholarship

This essay is a personal inquiry into the nature of media technology, law, and ethics in an era marked by the convergence of media that have been largely separate-print, broadcast, cable, satellite, and the Internet-and by the consolidation of ownership in all of these media. What inventions, practices, and norms must emerge to enable us to take advantage of this vast new information-based world, while preserving such important professional values as diversity, objectivity, reliability, and independence?

The right to know belongs not only to individuals, but to the public at large, it can (or, perhaps, must) be vindicated by government …

Technology And Client Community Access To Legal Services - Suggestive Scenarios On Community Legal Education, Intake And Referral And Pro Se, Michael Genz

University of the District of Columbia Law Review

The papers prepared for the Conference provide a broad perspective on emerging technologies and the potential they offer Legal Services. This paper, building on those perspectives, first offers a real world scenario showing how these technologies might be deployed to maximize client and community access to Legal Services resources. For each scenario, the paper then lays out what needs to be in place - technologically, managerially and institutionally, for the scenario to be made real.

The Technologically Enabled Legal Services Delivery System From The Perspective Of Senior Management, John A. Tull

University of the District of Columbia Law Review

No abstract provided.

Pornography, Privacy, And Digital Self-Help, 19 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 133 (2000), Tom W. Bell

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

Pornography and privacy share a subtle relationship in internet law and policy. Legislation attempting to restrict online speech considered indecent or harmful to minors is subject to exacting scrutiny. Legislation that regulates online speech thought to be harmful to its readers because of privacy concerns should be subjected to the same level of scrutiny. The availability of self-help remedies should govern the scope of legislation affecting online privacy and the alternatives offered by digital self-help solutions makes state regulation constitutionally suspect and functionally inferior. Self-help can be more effective than legislation in protecting online privacy. Cookie management software, use of …

2000 John Marshall National Moot Court Competition In Information Technology And Privacy Law: Brief For The Petitioner,19 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 225 (2000), Matt Caligur, Mark Callender, Alexandra Smoots Hogan

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

No abstract provided.

2000 John Marshall National Moot Court Competition In Information Technology And Privacy Law: Brief For The Respondent,19 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 261 (2000), Jennifer Kipke, Stacey-Ann Prince, Cindy Holcomb

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

No abstract provided.

The Erosion Of American Copyright Protection: The Fairness In Music Licensing Act, 18 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 791 (2000), Ralph Carter

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

The author of this article begins by giving the reader a taste of the history of American copyright protection. A synopsis of the statutes, case history, and industry development are fully explained. Furthermore, the author criticizes the enactment of the Fairness in Music Licensing Act. The author further refutes arguments made by proponents of the Act and examines the underlying motives of restaurant lobbyists. This comment also shows the real victims of the Act's exemptions---the songwriters. The comment concludes by advocating the return of the "home use exemption" in the Copyright Act of 1976.

In Congress Electric: The Need For On-Line Parliamentary Procedure, 18 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 963 (2000), Phil Reiman

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

Building a set of rules for operating an ordered, effective online association is the first step toward building virtual communities and the first step toward a democratic "e-government." Disputes online are not rare; they are just rarely resolved. Currently, online forums are watched over by a moderator, who is charged with keeping the discussion on track, and to keeping the debate from getting personal. Almost everyone who has been in an online discussion is aware of "Netiquette", the informal rules that govern chat room conversations. Everyone is equally aware that these rules are often ignored. While the exchange of ideas …

Lawyers Who Lie On-Line: How Should The Legal Profession Respond To Ebay Ethics, 18 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 875 (2000), Mark E. Wojcik

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

A recent scandal erupted in the press when a painting that was offered for sale on an Internet auction site was believed to be a lost contemporary masterpiece. The seller appeared to be a married man who was cleaning junk out of his garage, including a painting that his wife would not let him hang in the house. A bidding frenzy drove the price from the opening bid of 25 cents to more than $135,000 from a buyer in the Netherlands. After the sale was finished (it was ended by EBay when they learned he bid on the painting himself …

Privacy On Federal Civilian Computer Networks: A Fourth Amendment Analysis Of The Federal Intrusion Detection Network, 18 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 1049 (2000), David Hueneman

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

This comment explores the relationship between the privacy of the users of the federal non-public civilian computer networks and the government's power to monitor such networks. The background explains what a network is, how cyber-terrorists can greatly damage a system, what the government is planning to do about the problem, and the constitutional protections involved. The analysis moves on to examine the Fourth Amendment and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and considers their respective effects on the implementation of FIDNet -- a proposed government system designed to protect America's infrastructure from cyber- attack. The FIDNet plan calls for the creation …

Service Provider Liability For Acts Committed By Users: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You, 18 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 591 (2000), Mitchell P. Goldstein

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

This article probes into the liabilities that service providers may incur on the internet. Liabilities such as copyright infringement , pornography, and defamation are common sources of liability on the Internet. The author begins by discussing the different types of copyright infringement. These include direct infringement, contributory infringement, and vicarious liability. In response to these different types of infringements, Congress and the President signed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, DMCA. The author next investigates the issue of pornography on the Internet by giving a case history of the development of obscene pornography. This section of the article is concluded with …

Halve The Baby: An Obvious Solution To The Troubling Use Of Trademarks As Metatags, 18 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 643 (2000), Dan Mccuaig

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

In this article, the author proposes a solution to decide when metatags of other companies' trademarked terms should be allowed. First the author begins by describing the nature and function of metatags. A brief discussion of the relevant aspects of trademark law as they apply to trademark-metatags are fully investigated. The author then provides two significant cases in this field to support his contention. Following this discussion, the author proposes a solution to the use of trademark-metatags. Finally, the author ends this article with a discussion of anticipated market reactions to the "trademarks" metatag.

Riaa V. Napster: A Window Onto The Future Of Copyright Law In The Internet Age, 18 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 755 (2000), Ariel Berschadsky

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

This article uses the Napster controversy as a stepping stone to discussing copyright law in the Internet age. Section II of the article discusses music piracy over the internet and MP3 files. Section III of the article discusses the birth of Napster and its functions. Section IV details the allegations against Napster by the RIAA. Section V. discusses Copyright Law in the digital age. Various forms of copyright infringement such as direct liability, contributory liability, vicarious liability are fully assessed. Furthermore, the author discusses the response of legislative efforts to emerging copyright challenges on the internet. Section VI examines Napter's …

The Legislative Jurisdiction Of States Over Transactions In International Electronic Commerce, 18 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 689 (2000), Tapio Puurunen

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

With increasing growth and development of E-commerce and a rapid increase in the number of Internet Users, government assessment of current protections granted to consumers in their states is encouraged. The author's purpose is to examine national legislation on e-commerce regulation and its limits, to resolve jurisdictional conflict of laws associated with e-commerce, and to propose possible solutions to these emerging problems. This article covers market functions between business and consumer transactions. First, government should not ignore consumer e-commerce since e-commerce trade is significant on both national and international levels. Secondly, the author pushes for an extensive effort to unify …

Big Brother Is At Your Back Door: An Examination Of The Effect Of Encryption Regulation On Privacy And Crime, 18 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 825 (2000), Hillary Victor

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

This article compares the need of individuals for privacy and the U.S. government's desire for encryption regulation. The impact that CESA on cyberspace security and crime are fully discussed. Furthermore, a brief background on the advantages and disadvantages of encryption are investigated. A history of legislative effort to provide decryption tools are examined and outlined. Next, the comment provides an analysis of CESA, its legal implications and issues involving its effectiveness are discussed. A solution proposed by the author to redraft and amend CESA provides individuals with privacy protection.

The Postman Always Rings 4,000 Times: New Approaches To Curb Spam, 18 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 915 (2000), Credence E. Fogo

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

Before 1994, the average Internet user received little unsolicited commercial email, or "spam." But that all changed in April 1994, when enterprising Arizona lawyers Laurence Canter and Martha Siegel sent spam advertising their immigration law "services" to approximately 8,000 Usenet newsgroups reaching approximately 20 million people. It inspired irate Usenet users to flame Canter and Siegel in such great volume that the attorneys' ISP's computer crashed. The computer overloads Canter and Siegel's stunt caused also completely knocked out New Zealand's Internet access. But the ads must have worked because despite the fallout, Cander and Siegel persisted in their spam ad …

Diana's Law, Celebrity And The Paparazzi: The Continuing Search For A Solution, 18 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 945 (2000), Richard J. Curry Jr.

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

Celebrities and the media possess a unique relationship. Many celebrities skillfully use the media to market and advertise their movies, television shows, books, and records. They use the media to propel their careers and create a marketable celebrity image. Society is celebrity crazed and magazines, tabloids and other media forms such as Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood have combined to feed that craze. Our society's hunger for celebrities has spawned the existence of photographers known as the paparazzi. Armed with zoom lenses, high-powered microphones, and the promise of huge cash rewards for an exclusive celebrity expose, the paparazzi have become …

Falling Into The Gap: The European Union's Data Protection Act And Its Impact On U.S. Law And Commerce, 18 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 981 (2000), Marie Clear

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

The European Union ("E.U.") has been economically consolidating for some time, but the US appeared to feel this new composite player was relatively benign. In the past few years, though, the E.U. Has started asserting itself and setting rules in the game of international commercial gamesmanship. Until recently, the rules were limited to specific products and practices. This year, however, the E.U. changed the rules about how it would do business and, more significantly, how it would not. The E.U.'s Data Protection Directive came into force early in 2000 and presented the US with a huge dilemma: If the US …

Invasion Of The Information Snatchers: Creating Liability For Corporations With Vulnerable Computer Networks, 18 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 1019 (2000), Sarah Faulkner

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

Computer hackers are a serious threat to businesses and their customers, particularly if those businesses operate complex computer networks or operate as on-line businesses. However, now that corporate telecommunication networks are becoming more sophisticated, a company's phone system may also be susceptible to invasion. These telephonic hackers, called phone phreaks (and telecom hacking itself is known as phreaking), can cause large monetary losses as well. The question of who is liable for these losses, losses that are specifically caused by illegal activity, is the subject of this comment. This comment addresses the issue of liability for monetary losses in the …

The Case For A U.S. Privacy Commissioner: A Canadian Commissioner’S Perspective, 19 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 1 (2000), William S. Challis, Ann Cavoukian

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

The demands of social democratic government, the growth of electronic commerce, and the advance of technology have fueled the debate over internet privacy. Technology offers unprecedented opportunities but can also become tools of abuse. Debate in the United States centers around the conflicting interests of industry self-control versus government regulation. Technological and market-based solutions are ineffective because they lead to inadequate and inconsistent protection. Many user-driven privacy choices can impede the growth of consumer trust. Voluntarily adopted privacy policies are either extremely limited or easily circumvented with tracking technology that allows no consumer control over the collection of their personal …

Regulating The Free Flow Of Information: A Privacy Czar As The Ultimate Big Brother, 19 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 37 (2000), Jonathan M. Winer

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

The free flow if information is critical to open society. In the United States, the tradition of open information provides the intellectual oxygen for the development American freedom, knowledge, technology, and commerce. In contrast to the right to communicate and obtain information, privacy is not an established right in the United States, except with respect to physical trespass by the government and reproductive freedom. A federal privacy czar would necessarily limit the unauthorized collection, use, and dissemination of personal information. Privacy czars invariably become privacy advocates and take active stances to discourage the free flow of information about persons and …

Recent Developments In Private Sector Personal Data Protection In Australia: Will There Be An Upside Down Under, 19 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 71 (2000), Paul Kelly

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

Although the United States enacted the one of the first data protection laws, many Americans are suspicious of European data protection regulations. The U.S. and Japan are notable exceptions to the modern trend toward comprehensive informational privacy regulation. European data protection laws are stricter, more comprehensive, and more bureaucratic than non-European counterparts. Newer regulatory models, such as those introduced in Australia, provide an acceptable compromise between the American self-regulatory approach and the comprehensive European approach. Australia has a federal agency responsible for administering its information privacy laws and is moving towards a co-regulatory approach between government and the private sector.

Protecting Individual On-Line Privacy Rights: Making The Case For A Separately Dedicated, Independent Regulatory Agency, 19 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 93 (2000), Jack Karnes

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

Few issues have caused more legal consternation than the level to which individual online privacy rights should be protected. Modern equipment and software enables those who seek to violate privacy rights render a less knowledgeable citizen helpless. Traditional privacy protection is inadequate to protect a fundamental right. Neither Congress nor the courts have dealt with the issue in an effective manner like they have dealt with other areas like telephone and wireless phone communications. The online privacy dilemma is reaching a crisis point. Employers are able to monitor employees’ uses of equipment to prevent any and all personal uses of …

The De Facto Federal Privacy Commission, 19 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 109 (2000), Steven Hetcher

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

The United States is well on its way to having a federal agency that regulates online privacy. In the last five years, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has assumed increasing jurisdiction over online privacy. The FTC’s true intent to regulate online privacy became evident when it recommended that Congress enact legislation to strengthen its growing power to regulate internet privacy. The FTC uses threats of administrative enforcement actions to guide industry self-regulation through the use of unfair trade practices actions. The FTC acts because consumers feel entitled to data privacy and promotes Web site privacy practices through education and attempts …

Toward An Architecture Of Privacy For The Virtual World, 19 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 151 (2000), Paul Toscano

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

The internet is expanding. As users become more computer literate, the world becomes more reliant on the virtual one. The internet and wireless communications have fostered global commerce on an unprecedented scale. Because it lacks boundaries, cyberspace is difficult for regulate with traditional methods of governance. Security, privacy, and integrity of information are thus available to only a minority of users in restricted communities. Outside, users are on their own or must rely on the partial solutions available to them. To date, there is no consensus on what security, privacy, and integrity of information really mean. The internet needs a …